Djokovic suggests 'hurricane conditions' played a part in French Open defeat

Novak Djokovic has suggested adverse weather conditions were a big factor in his last-four defeat to Dominic Thiem at the French Open.

The semi-final began on Friday but play was suspended with Thiem 3-1 up in the third set due to the worsening weather.

Thiem went on to clinch the set 7-5 when play resumed on Saturday, much to Djokovic's frustration on another windy day at Roland Garros.

World number one Djokovic fought back to win the fourth 7-5, but Thiem rallied to take the decider by the same score and set up a final with 11-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal in a repeat of last year's showpiece.

And though Djokovic - whose hopes of joining Rod Laver as the only man in history to possess all four grand slams on two occasions have now been at least temporarily dashed - insisted Thiem deserved full credit for his win, he implied that the match should have been halted earlier than it was on Friday.

"Obviously when you're playing in hurricane kind of conditions, it's hard to perform at your best," Djokovic said.

"It's really just kind of surviving in these kind of conditions and trying to hold your serve and play.

"That's what it felt playing like yesterday, to be honest. It is what it is. I played great tennis, but I don't want to find excuses for the loss.

"Congratulations to [Thiem], he's playing great tennis. He showed why he's one of the best players in the world and I wish him the best for the final."